Multiported valve

ABSTRACT

A one-man-operated valve in a dual pool system for simultaneously controlling the flow of water from a common water recirculating plant to the supply and drain conduits going to either one or the other of such pools. The arrangement of a tubular inner valve member for turning a limited distance within and relative to an outer tubular casing ported along its length to communicate the supply and drain conduits between the two pools and dividing the inner valve member into separate supply and drain zones each ported in sets segmentally offset circumferentially of each other on the inner valve members whereby upon limited turning of the latter only one or the other set of ports of the inner valve member can register with respective ports of the casing to effect flow from the common water recirculating plant to one or the other of such pools.

United States Patent [1 1 [111 3,874,413

Valdez Apr. 1,. 1975 MULTIPORTED VALVE Primary ExaminerHenry T. lKlinksiek [75] Inventor: Carl J. Valdez, San Jose, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Vals Construction, San Jose, Calif. [57] ABSTRACT A one-man-operated valve in a dual pool system for [22] Flled' 1973 simultaneously controlling the flow of water from a [21] Appl. No.: 348,933 common water recirculating plant to the supply and drain conduits going to either one or the other of such pools. The arrangement of a tubular inner valve mem- Z 137/625'47 }3, ber for turning a limited distance within and relative 341 278 to an outer tubular casing ported along its length to communicate the supply and drain conduits between the two pools and dividing the inner valve member into separate supply and drain zones each ported in sets segmentally offset circumferentially of each other on the inner valve members whereby upon limited turning of the latter only one or the other set of ports of the inner valve member can register with respective ports of the casing to effect flow from the common water recirculating plant to one or the other of such pools.

7 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures ,1 as 1.2- l A H I TO POOL 20 l B Ti TO SPA 1,9, COMMON C SUPPLY FROM HEATER 43 w 1 30 I J C |Ilf;' -1

l D T FROM POOL V 1, 3D :45 3D I u E rt I FROM SPA 3E 3E COMMON TO PUMP PATENTED APR 1 I975 SHIT 1 UP 2 COMMON s TO PUMF PMEMEB 1 ms SHEET 2 OF 2 III/II) IIIIIIIIIIIII TO, PUMP 39 FIG 4-- 43 44 W TO UMP F'POM HEATER MULTIPORTED VALVE BACKGROUND This invention relates to a multiported valve for a dual pool or water system and the like.

Apartment house complexes, condominiums and physical as well as recreational natatoriums have pools for various purposes. The most common arrangement consists of a swimming pool and a separate smaller pool usually designated a spa. A spa is a pool in which water under presure is caused to swirl to afford hydrotherapeutic massaging to the body parts of persons bathing therein. Each of these pools requires a system for recirculating the water thereof through a filter and usually a heater for purifying and reconditioning the water for reasons of sanitation as well as comfort and appearances.

For reasons of economy, cost of labor and material, it is a common practice to operate both pools of a dual pool arrangement from a single filter-and heating plant. Heretofore, the piping to each pool had separate valves independently operable, two for each pool, one for turning on and off the flow of water to each pool and the other for turning on and off the flow from each pool to the common filter and heating plant. In such an arrangement a great deal of care is required in order to prevent damage to the single filter and heating plant. For example, if both pools were shut off simultaneously for a long period, the heater could be damaged. A sud den burst of pressure upon turning on the system or due to extreme heat of the water could break up the filter. Forgetfulness or too long a time lapse upon the part of the attendants manipulation of the valves has caused most of the problems. As in all cases, the human element required to care for and maintain such equipment leaves much to be desired.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a single control valve operatively connected to both pools and the water recirculating plant wherein, by a single action, one man can control all ports of the single control valve simultaneously.

It is another object of this invention to provide a multiported valve which is of simple construction, economical to manufacture and highly efficient in use.

It is yet another object to provide such a multiported valve between two cylindrical members serving as a common conduit with separate sets of related ports offset from each other at different positions along its FIG. 3A is a section through FIG. 2 taken along line 3A-3A therein;

FIG. 3B is a section through FIG. 2 taken along line 38-33 therein;

FIG. 3C is a section through FIG. 2 taken along line 3C-3C therein;

FIG. 3D is a section through FIG. 2 taken along line 3D3D therein;

FIG. 3E is a section through FIG. 2 taken along line 3E-3E therein;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section through FIG. 2 taken substantially along line 44 therein;

FIG. 5 is an elevation of the internal body of the valve of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 as seen alone in the position of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a cross section through FIG. 4 taken along line 6-6 therein;

FIG. 7 is an elevation ofa modified form of valve including the embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a section through FIG. 7 taken along line 88 therein.

I GENERAL DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a simple dual pool water system 10 is shown to include a swimming pool 11 and a spa 12 both of which are connected, by suitable conduits, to a common water supply and recirculating system 13. The water supply system 13 is shown to include a pump 14, a filter 15 and a heater 16 for recirculating, cleaning and reconditioning the water of either pool 11 or 12. The water supply system 13 is shown to include a common multiported valve 20 constructed as valves in tandem in accordance with the present invention to enable one man to control the flow of water to either or both pools, simultaneously by a single operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The multiported tandem valve 20, in accordance with the present invention, comprises a pair of cylindrical members 21 and 22 arranged, one within the other, for turning movement relative to each other. The outer cylindrical member 21 is a casing having a plurality of ports 23 A, 23 B, 23 C, 23 D, and 23 E; each connected to a particular conduit of the water supply and recirculating system 13.

In FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the ports 23 A through 23 E inclusive are shown to be in alignment with individual bosses 24 A, 24 B, 24 C, 24 D and 24 E, respectively. The bosses and ports designated A, B, C, D and E are all shown to extend radially and in the same direction from the outer cylindrical member 21. Obviously, these ports and bosses could be arranged at various radial points from center of the cylindrical member 21. However, for purposes of economy and simplicity in manufacture, all ports and bosses are shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 as unidirectional.

The ports and bosses 23 A to 23 E and 24 A to 24 E are equally spaced along the length of the outer cylin drical casing 21 as at planes 3A-3A, 3B-3B, 3C-3C, 3D3D and 3E3E in FIG. 2. Each boss 24 A to E is connected to a pipe or conduit going to a separate port of either the pool 11 or spa 12 and to or from the circulating system 13 as the case may be.

Referring to FIG. 1, the boss 24-A is shown connected by a conduit 25 to the inlet 26 of the pool 11. Boss 24-B communicates with the spa 12 via a conduit 27.

Boss 24-C is connected by conduit 28 as a common supply line of the reconditioned water from the recirculating system 13.

The boss 24-D is connected by conduit 29 to the drain d and scuppers s of the pool 11; and boss 24-E is connected by conduit 30 to the drain e of the spa 12.

The bottom of the outer cylindrical casing 21 is open as at 39 and connected by a conduit 31 to the pump 14 on the return side of the recirculating system 13.

The inner cylindrical member 22 fits snuggly within the outer cylindrical casing 21 as best seen in FIG. 4 as well as sections of FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 3E. The lower end of the cylindrical member 22 is open as at 40 to communicate with the open bottom 39 and the conduit 31 on the outer casing 21. The opposite end of the cylindrical member 22 is sweated on and secured to a cap 33 for closing the upper end thereof. This cap 33 rests upon the open upper end of the casing 21 and is secured in place by a pin 34 extending radially from the cap 33 through a guide slot 35 formed in the outer casing 21.

The cap 33 is provided with means in the form of a handle H for turning the cap and the inner cylindrical member 22 relative to the outer cylindrical casing 21. By this arrangement, the inner cylindrical member functions as a valve member relative to the various ports 23 (A, B, C, D and E) and bosses 24 (A, B, C, D and E) along the length of the outer cylindrical casing 21.

In accordance with the present invention, the inner cylindrical valve member 22 is divided into a supply valve zone 36 and a return valve zone 37. This is accomplished by the provision of a partition or diaphragm 38 within the valve member 22 in the region between the boss 24-C and the boss 24-D of the outer cylindrical casing 21.

In the supply valve zone 36, the valve member 22 has a plurality of ports 41, 42 and 43-44 which are disposed in planes transverse to valve axis and coinciding with the bosses 24-A, B and C, respectively. The return zone 37 of the valve member 22 has a pair of ports 45 and 46 coinciding with the bosses 24-D and E, respectively, in their respective planes transversly of and along the axis of the valve 20.

The valve member 22 is limited against complete rotation within the outer cylindrical casing 21. This is accomplished by the predetermined circumferential length of the segmental slot 35 in which the securing pin 34 of the cap 33 is disposed. For purposes of the present invention the slot 35 is shown as 100 in length. The valve member 22 is thereby shown as limited to a swing of 100 relative to the outer casing 21. This may vary slightly one way or another as long as there is sufficient swing to afford on and off limits to the operation of the valve as a whole.

At the two limits of swing of the inner valve member 22, the latter has its ports staggered to communicate with either the pool 11 or the spa 12. As best seen in FIG. 2, the ports 41, 44 and 45 are aligned substantially longitudinally with the pin 34 when at one limit of swing of the valve member 22. The other ports 42, 43 and 46 are aligned longitudinally at an angle 100 offset of the pin 34 of the valve member 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ports 42, 43 and 46 are set for communication with the conduits 27, 28 and for circulating the water from the spa through the water recirculating and reconditioning system 13. However, when the pin 34 is moved to the other end of the slot 35, the ports 42, 43 and 46 swing out of communication with the conduits 27, 28 and 30. Simultaneous therewith, the ports 41, 44 and 45 are swung from closed condition (FIG. 2) into communication with their respective bosses 24-A, C and D. These bosses being connected to conduits 25, 28 and 29, respectively, result in communication of the water recirculating system 13 with the swimming pool 11.

The changeover from one pool to the other is thereby accomplished by one man operating a single valve 20 to thereby control the entire system simultaneously. It should here be noted that by reason of the open ends 39 and 40 of the outer and inner cylindrical members 21 and 22 of the valve 20 being at all times in communication with the return conduit 31 going to the suction or pump side of the water recirculating system 13, the return zone 37 of the valve is constantly in circuit therewith.

By the same token, both ports 43 and 44 of the inner valve member 22 being spaced from one another circumferentially by a section 50 of tubing less than the diameter of either port, the supply zone 36 of the valve member 22 has communication with the boss 24-C and the conduit 28 which is common to the supply side of the water recirculating system 13. By this arrangement, it is possible to enable flow to both pools simultaneously on a limited volume to each by having the two ports 43 and 44 merged with each other as an elon-' gated slot in the absence of the section 50 therebetween (not shown). A more simplified version of such arrangement is disclosed in the modified form of FIGS. 7 and 8 now to be explained.

The modified form of the multiported valve structure as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is designated 20'. In all respects like reference numerals are applied to like ports of the preferred embodiment (FIGS. 1 through 6) and distinguished therefrom by prime exponents.

As depicted in FIG. 7, the outer cylindrical casing 21 is open ended, one end 39 of which communicates with the pump l4'of the recirculating system 13 via a conduit 31. The other open end of the casing 21 is connected via a conduit 28 to the heater side 16 of the recirculating system 13 and is comparable to the boss 24-C of the preferred embodiment.

The internal valve member 22 is arranged within the outer casing 21 and has a solid mid-portion serving as a partition 38 to divide the inner tubular valve member 22 into a supply chamber 36' and a return chamber 37. The solid midpartition 38 has a pin 34 extending radially therefrom (FIGS. 7 and 8). This pin 34' extends through an arcuate guide slot 35 formed in the outer casing 21 to maintain the ports 41'-4245 and 46 of the inner valve member 22 in register with their respective boss ports 24D and 24E on the outer casing 21. In combination therewith, the slot 35 acts as a limit means for limiting the swing of the inner valve member 22 between its two positions degrees, FIG. 8).

In FIG. 7, the inner valve member 22' is shown as having one pair of ports 41' and 45 aligned at one of the limits of swing and another pair of ports 42'46 aligned at the other limit of swing of the valve member 22. As in the preferred embodiment, either one or the other set of ports 4145' or 42'46 is disposed for register with the conduits going to the pool 11 or the spa 12 as the case may be.

As a further feature, the modified structure 20' is shown to include neoprene seals 49 in annular recesses formed in the inner valve member 22 on each side (longitudinally) of the respective ports 41', 42, 45

and 46'.

By the foregoing arrangement, the flow of reconditioned water from the recirculating system 13 is controlled by a single, one man, manipulation of the valve member 22 or 22 via a handle H.

While I have described the multiported valve of the present invention in specific detail it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the same may be susceptible to variations, alterations and/or modifications without departing fromthe spirit or scope of my invention therein as called for in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by letters patent is:

1. A multiported valve of the type having an outer cylindrical casing and an inner cylindrical valve member arranged therein for sealed turning movement for serving either one or the other pool of a dual pool system from a common water reconditioning and recirculating plant; said valve comprising:

1. a partition formed in the inner cylindrical valve member for dividing the latter into a supply zone and a return zone;

. means on the outer casing for communicating the supply zone of the inner cylindrical valve member with the output side of the common water recirculating plant;

. means on the outer casing for communicating the return zone of the inner cylindrical valve member with the return side of the common water recirculating plant;

4. a plurality of ports on the outer cylindrical casing including:

a. a first port radially of said supply zone and com municating with the supply side of one of said pools;

b. a second port radially of said supply zone and communicating with the supply side of the other one of said pools;

c. a third port radially of said return zone and communicating with the drain side of said one of said pools; and

d. a fourth port radially of said return zone and communicating with the drain side of the other one of said pools;

5. said valve member having two sets of ports including:

a. one set of ports formed therein in planes therealong for registration only with the first and third ports in said outer casing. and

b. the other set of ports formed therein in offset relation radially to said one set of ports for registration only with the second and fourth ports in said outer casing; and 6. limit means between said inner valve and outer casing for maintaining said two sets of ports in said inner valve member in planes of registration with their respective ports in said casing and for limiting turning movement of said inner valve member relative to said casing a segmental distance comparable to the offset relation of said two sets of ports in said valve member relative to each other for simultaneously changing communication between said dual pools and said water recirculating plant. 2. The multiported valve in accordance with that of claim 1 in which said last named limit means thereof comprises:

1. a slot formed segmentally of said outer casing a chordal distance comparable to the offset relation of the two sets of ports in said valve member; and

2. a pin extending radially from said inner valve member through said segmental slot in said outer casing.

3. The multiported valve in accordance with that of claim 1 in which one of said means on said outer casing communicating with said recirculating plant is radially disposed relative to said inner valve member and the latter includes a pair of ports, one in each of said offset sets thereof, disposed in a plane common to each other and said one of said radially disposed means communicating with said recirculating plant.

4. The multiported valve in accordance with that of claim 2 in which one of said means on said outer casing communicating with said recirculating plant is radially disposed relative to said inner valve member and the latter includes a pair of ports, one in each of said offset sets thereof, disposed in a plane common to each other and said one of said radially disposed means comm unicating with said recirculating plant.

5. The multiported valve in accordance with that of claim 1 including a plurality of neoprene seals each circumscribing said inner valve member and sealingly engaging said outer casing at planes adjacent and between each of said sets of ports spaced along the length of said valve.

6. A valve for a dual pool arrangement in which at least a first and second pool have a common water and recirculating plant therebetween provided with at least an in line filter and pump; a multiported valve member comprising:

1. an outer cylindrical valve casing having a plurality of ports arranged in spaced relation along its length including a first port communicating with the first pool; a second port communicating with a second pool; a third port having communication with the supply side of a common water recirculating plant; a fourth port communicating with the drain side of the first pool; and a last port communicating with the drain side of the second pool;

2. an inner cylindrical valve member arranged for sealed turning movement inside said outer cylindrical casing, said valve member having two sets of ports including:

a. one set of ports formed therein in alignment longitudinally of each other and in planes therealong spaced for registration only with the first, third and fourth ports in said valve casing; and

b. the other set of ports formed therein in alignment longitudinally of each other and in offset relation radially to said one set of ports for registration only with the second, fourth and last ports in said valve member;

. a partition within said inner cylindrical valve memher for dividing the latter into a supply zone communicable with said first, second and third ports on said outer casing and a return zone communicable with said fourth and last ports on said outer casing; and

4. means between said inner valve and outer casing for maintaining said two sets of ports in said inner valve member in planes of registration with their respective ports in said casing and for limiting turning movement of said inner valve member relative to said casing a segmental distance comparable to the offset relation of said two sets of ports relative chordal distance comparable to the offset relation to each other between positions of registration with of the two sets of ports in said valve member; and the ports on said casing. 2. a pin extending radially from said inner valve 7. The multiported valve in accordance with claim 6 member through said segmental slot in said outer in which said last named limit means thereof comprises: casing.

l. a slot formed segmentally of said outer casing 21 

1. A multiported valve of the type having an outer cylindrical casing and an inner cylindrical valve member arranged therein for sealed turning movement for serving either one or the other pool of a dual pool system from a common water reconditioning and recirculating plant; said valve comprising:
 1. a partition formed in the inner cylindrical valve member for dividing the latter into a supply zone and a return zone;
 2. means on the outer casing for communicating the supply zone of the inner cylindrical valve member with the output side of the common water recirculating plant;
 3. means on the outer casing for communicating the return zone of the inner cylindrical valve member with the return side of the common water recirculating plant;
 4. a plurality of ports on the outer cylindrical casing including: a. a first port radially of said supply zone and communicating with the supply side of one of said pools; b. a second port radially of said supply zone and communicating with the supply side of the other one of said pools; c. a third port radially of said return zone and communicating with the drain side of said one of said pools; and d. a fourth port radially of said return zone and communicating with the drain side of the other one of said pools;
 5. said valve member having two sets of ports including: a. one set of ports formed therein in planes therealong for registration only with the first and third ports in said outer casing; and b. the other set of ports formed therein in offset relation radially to said one set of ports for registration only with the second and fourth ports in said outer casing; and
 6. limit means between said inner valve and outer casing for maintaining said two sets of ports in said inner valve member in planes of registration with their respective ports in said casing and for limiting turning movement of said inner valve member relative to said casing a segmental distance comparable to the offset relation of said two sets of ports in said valve member relative to each other for simultaneously changing communication between said dual pools and said water recirculating plant.
 2. a pin extending radially from said inner valve member through said segmental slot in said outer casing.
 2. an inner cylindrical valve member arranged for sealed turning movement inside said outer cylindrical casing, said valve member Having two sets of ports including: a. one set of ports formed therein in alignment longitudinally of each other and in planes therealong spaced for registration only with the first, third and fourth ports in said valve casing; and b. the other set of ports formed therein in alignment longitudinally of each other and in offset relation radially to said one set of ports for registration only with the second, fourth and last ports in said valve member;
 2. means on the outer casing for communicating the supply zone of the inner cylindrical valve member with the output side of the common water recirculating plant;
 2. The multiported valve in accordance with that of claim 1 in which said last named limit means thereof comprises:
 2. a pin extending radially from said inner valve member through said segmental slot in said outer casing.
 3. means on the outer casing for communicating the return zone of the inner cylindrical valve member with the return side of the common water recirculating plant;
 3. a partition within said inner cylindrical valve member for dividing the latter into a supply zone communicable with said first, second and third ports on said outer casing and a return zone communicable with said fourth and last ports on said outer casing; and
 3. The multiported valve in accordance with that of claim 1 in which one of said means on said outer casing communicating with said recirculating plant is radially disposed relative to said inner valve member and the latter includes a pair of ports, one in each of said offset sets thereof, disposed in a plane common to each other and said one of said radially disposed means communicating with said recirculating plant.
 4. The multiported valve in accordance with that of claim 2 in which one of said means on said outer casing communicating with said recirculating plant is radially disposed relative to said inner valve member and the latter includes a pair of ports, one in each of said offset sets thereof, disposed in a plane common to each other and said one of said radially disposed means communicating with said recirculating plant.
 4. means between said inner valve and outer casing for maintaining said two sets of ports in said inner valve member in planes of registration with their respective ports in said casing and for limiting turning movement of said inner valve member relative to said casing a segmental distance comparable to the offset relation of said two sets of ports relative to each other between positions of registration with the ports on said casing.
 4. a plurality of ports on the outer cylindrical casing including: a. a first port radially of said supply zone and communicating with the supply side of one of said pools; b. a second port radially of said supply zone and communicating with the supply side of the other one of said pools; c. a third port radially of said return zone and communicating with the drain side of said one of said pools; and d. a fourth port radially of said return zone and communicating with the drain side of the other one of said pools;
 5. said valve member having two sets of ports including: a. one set of ports formed therein in planes therealong for registration only with the first and third ports in said outer casing; and b. the other set of ports formed therein in offset relation radially to said one set of ports for registration only with the second and fourth ports in said outer casing; and
 5. The multiported valve in accordance with that of claim 1 including a plurality of neoprene seals each circumscribing said inner valve member and sealingly engaging said outer casing at planes adjacent and between each of said sets of ports spaced along the length of said valve.
 6. A valve for a dual pool arrangement in which at least a first and second pool have a common water and recirculating plant therebetween provided with at least an in line filter and pump; a multiported valve member comprising:
 6. limit means between said inner valve and outer casing for maintaining said two sets of ports in said inner valve member in planes of registration with their respective ports in said casing and for limiting turning movement of said inner valve member relative to said casing a segmental distance comparable to the offset relation of said two sets of ports in said valve member relative to each other for simultaneously changing communication between said dual pools and said water recirculating plant.
 7. The multiported valve in accordance with claim 6 in which said last named limit means thereof comprises: 